Pre-order Canon A80 4MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom for $399.99 at Amazon

[fatbaby]

Originally posted by: sat4fun

Originally posted by: gwlam12

Originally posted by: CheapArse dunno about hot, but certainly interesting.

agreed. i like the lcd display thing. but i dont think im gonna upgrade from my a70

I don't like the pop out screen. This is what stopped me from buying the G3 on clearance at CC. Not a big fan of pop out screens. Besides scratch protection, what is the advantage? My main photo subject is my one year old that loves to grab things. I can see this thing snapping off in a matter of days.

Well you don't have to "pop" it out. You can just flip the lcd screen around so it'll be just like any other camera.

The thing I don't get about this cam is its price. For $400, you can get a new canon g2...which has a 4x optical zoom and a host of other features

 

[Fant]

Is it just me or wasnt the A series camera bigger than the S30/S40/S45/S50 series? Are there advantages to the A80 over the S45 besides the swing out LCD?

 

[popeye885]

Originally posted by: BOK

Anyway, it seems canon has outdone themselves. as in, bitten off more than they can swallow. the a80, priced at $400, is way too expensive. it's not a high-end camera. the g2, g3, g5, for example, all have nice fast lenses. and better image quality, i'd assume. there's no reason to get an a80 instead of the g3, for example. plus, other companies have come out with 4 mp cameras in this price range also. nikon's 4500 has a 4x optical zoom lens.

I'm gonna have to disagree with you there. At $400, this camera is a great bargain. It's every bit as capable as the S400 or S45, with better features (e.g. flip LCD, awesome battery life), and full manual controls (S45 has them too, but is bulkier). Sure, the Canon G series are in a higher class. That's why they're hundreds of dollars more expensive (as is the Nikon 4500). I'm not sure what you mean by "fast lenses".

there's no comparision between this camera and the G3 (also 4mp, but with 4x zoom). G3 can be had for almost the same price if you don't mind a bigger camera. the image quality is much better (do a side by side comparision on imaging resource). night performance is better (less noise). at high iso speed, the images from G3 is also much more usable. this is all from comparing G3 with my A70, i am assuming the A80 will be pretty much the same, just with more MP. The S45 is pretty much a smaller version of the G3, without the fast lens. btw, fast lens means that the camera lets in more light and thus allow you to shoot at low light conditions without using tripod

 

[s0ssos]

Originally posted by: BOK

Anyway, it seems canon has outdone themselves. as in, bitten off more than they can swallow. the a80, priced at $400, is way too expensive. it's not a high-end camera. the g2, g3, g5, for example, all have nice fast lenses. and better image quality, i'd assume. there's no reason to get an a80 instead of the g3, for example. plus, other companies have come out with 4 mp cameras in this price range also. nikon's 4500 has a 4x optical zoom lens.

I'm gonna have to disagree with you there. At $400, this camera is a great bargain. It's every bit as capable as the S400 or S45, with better features (e.g. flip LCD, awesome battery life), and full manual controls (S45 has them too, but is bulkier). Sure, the Canon G series are in a higher class. That's why they're hundreds of dollars more expensive (as is the Nikon 4500). I'm not sure what you mean by "fast lenses".

i think everybody else has already stated their objections (and mine also) to your logic. the s45 is bigger? i don't understand. the s45 is smaller in every single dimension.
nikon 4500 is the same price range (right now it has a $200 rebate), and someone already stated how much a g2 costs.

fast lens means the aperture is bigger, as stated by a smaller f number. like, f2.8 is faster than f3.5. a fast lens would be like f2.0 (the fastest i've see on a digicam is f1.8)

 

[BOK]

i think everybody else has already stated their objections (and mine also) to your logic. the s45 is bigger? i don't understand. the s45 is smaller in every single dimension.
nikon 4500 is the same price range (right now it has a $200 rebate), and someone already stated how much a g2 costs.

fast lens means the aperture is bigger, as stated by a smaller f number. like, f2.8 is faster than f3.5. a fast lens would be like f2.0 (the fastest i've see on a digicam is f1.8)

Ok, minus rebates and special deals, the A80 is in a lower price range than the Nikon 4500.

As far as size, you'd better check again. The S45 is BIGGER in 2 of 3 dimensions (the A80 is .3 in taller), and it feels like a brick in your hands.

The G2 is a discontinued camera. Not to mention it's bigger.

 

[s0ssos]

bok:As far as size, you'd better check again. The S45 is BIGGER in 2 of 3 dimensions (the A80 is .3 in taller), and it feels like a brick in your hands.

the s45 is in canon's compact class. i think if you mean it's bigger, you're just speaking from looking at dimensions. have you ever tried them out? it seems like the A stuff is bigger. that protruding handgrip isn't very good to put into your pocket. perhaps you're talking about dimensions not counting that? the s45 is a block, yes, so it slides very easily into a pocket.

as for the s45 feeling like a brick: actually, it weighs less. the a80 uses 4 Nimh's, so obviously it's pretty heavy

 

[sat4fun]

[/quote] Well you don't have to "pop" it out. You can just flip the lcd screen around so it'll be just like any other camera. [/quote]

Thanks. I did not know this.

 

[nguyendot1]

Originally posted by: s0ssos

Originally posted by: nguyendot1
10x zoom requires a rather steady hand compared to 3x. It is a lot easier to blur the picture on a 10x camera than a 3x camera. 3x optics are quite a bit cheaper to produce than 10x optics of similar quality. Ask yourself why the DSC-F717 5x costs so much... It's all in the lens. There aren't any decent cameras with a 10x zoom AND image stabilization anymore. The last one was the Pro90IS from canon, 2.5mp, and it retailed for about $1300.

Also, name another 4mp camera, with comparable Canon-quality optics, 9 point auto focus (up from 5 crom a60/a70), Flip screen, metal body (mostly), and over 5 hour battery life on 1600mah AA batteries.... That is cheaper, or within reasonable cost, of this camera. Then, name a camera with a 10x zoom and all those qualities, thats affordable compared to that.

well, 10X optical and IS? let's see. the panasonic fz1 wouldn't qualify, because it's 12X optical and IS. nor would the minolta A1, cause it's not 10X. i guess you're right.

and you know, just because you have 10X doesn't mean you have to use 10X. you can use 5x pretty well, even 6x. and for when you zoom in more just use a faster shutter speed.

Anyway, it seems canon has outdone themselves. as in, bitten off more than they can swallow. the a80, priced at $400, is way too expensive. it's not a high-end camera. the g2, g3, g5, for example, all have nice fast lenses. and better image quality, i'd assume. there's no reason to get an a80 instead of the g3, for example. plus, other companies have come out with 4 mp cameras in this price range also. nikon's 4500 has a 4x optical zoom lens.

So you buy a camera for its 10x lens, and don't use 10x, right? Sounds like a deal to me. Also, how much are those 10x+ zoom cameras you mentioned? Are they anywhere NEAR this price range we're talking about? Oh, wait, no they're not. And are they optically stabilized? Sure the Panasonic is.. but its only 2 mp. I thought we were talking about 3/4 mp? The A1 wasn't available to market yet... so you cant even bring that up. It's also got a 7x zoom, which is nice and IS, but its price is well >$1000 mark. The nikon 4500 was a terribly slow camera, btw... Nikon's buffering system is horrible.. go read up on dpreview. Another thing is its battery life... very sorry as well. EN-EL1 needs to be replaced. A set of 2000mah NimH batteries will get you 3x longer shooting time in an A70, A80 than a nikon 4500.
And upping the shutter speed? That'll be nice if you want pictures that look like you were wearing sunglasses. To get correct exposure, from a 10x zoom, its not gonna do you any good to up the shutter speed. Sure it'll stop the action better, if you like dark action. Tell me what you're gonna do when you wanna do a city landscape with 10x zoom at night handheld? Up the speed? hah. Not unless your hands are used as tripods on the weekends.

 

[weepul]

u might want to apply this if u are planning to order:

$50 GC with $250 Electronics Purchase 9/29-10/19 @ Amazon

//krunk (^_^x)

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: BOK

Anyway, it seems canon has outdone themselves. as in, bitten off more than they can swallow. the a80, priced at $400, is way too expensive. it's not a high-end camera. the g2, g3, g5, for example, all have nice fast lenses. and better image quality, i'd assume. there's no reason to get an a80 instead of the g3, for example. plus, other companies have come out with 4 mp cameras in this price range also. nikon's 4500 has a 4x optical zoom lens.

I'm gonna have to disagree with you there. At $400, this camera is a great bargain. It's every bit as capable as the S400 or S45, with better features (e.g. flip LCD, awesome battery life), and full manual controls (S45 has them too, but is bulkier). Sure, the Canon G series are in a higher class. That's why they're hundreds of dollars more expensive (as is the Nikon 4500). I'm not sure what you mean by "fast lenses".

One can find a *new* black Canon G2 for $399 (OneCall.com). Given this option, I'd still pick the G2 over the A80. The G2 uses a lithium-ion battery that has a very good life -- much better than the life of 4 "AA" NiMH batteries - I'd be willing to bet. Plus, you'll reserve the right to use more add-ons with the G2.

 

[330Pilot]

The A class is a bit to big I think... doesnt fit in pocket comfy.

 

[rcurley55]

So who wants to reply on the S400?!?!

I'm looking at all of these cameras to use my Dell deal this week. I want the smallest point and click that will give me good results - I'm no photographer, and don't really want to learn how.

So what do I buy (sorry to hijack!)

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: rcurley55
So who wants to reply on the S400?!?!

I'm looking at all of these cameras to use my Dell deal this week. I want the smallest point and click that will give me good results - I'm no photographer, and don't really want to learn how.

So what do I buy (sorry to hijack!)

I would go for the S400.

How much can you get the S400 for from Dell (after taxes, shipping and eBates discount)?

 

[kitkit201]

get an A70, ull thank me later

also a little weight is good because it'll be hard to take pictures with a small camera.. imo

 

[nguyendot1]

Originally posted by: Tiles2Tech

Originally posted by: BOK

Anyway, it seems canon has outdone themselves. as in, bitten off more than they can swallow. the a80, priced at $400, is way too expensive. it's not a high-end camera. the g2, g3, g5, for example, all have nice fast lenses. and better image quality, i'd assume. there's no reason to get an a80 instead of the g3, for example. plus, other companies have come out with 4 mp cameras in this price range also. nikon's 4500 has a 4x optical zoom lens.

I'm gonna have to disagree with you there. At $400, this camera is a great bargain. It's every bit as capable as the S400 or S45, with better features (e.g. flip LCD, awesome battery life), and full manual controls (S45 has them too, but is bulkier). Sure, the Canon G series are in a higher class. That's why they're hundreds of dollars more expensive (as is the Nikon 4500). I'm not sure what you mean by "fast lenses".

One can find a *new* black Canon G2 for $399 (OneCall.com). Given this option, I'd still pick the G2 over the A80. The G2 uses a lithium-ion battery that has a very good life -- much better than the life of 4 "AA" NiMH batteries - I'd be willing to bet. Plus, you'll reserve the right to use more add-ons with the G2.

Actually, G3's can be had for this price now. Get one of those instead, the autofocus is better, as well as the the 4x zoom and DIGIC processing.

You'd be losing that bet, if you think the G2's Lithium Ion battery would outlast an A-series canon with NiMH batteries. Go check out dpreviews review of the A series. The A70 has the longest battery life of ANY digicam to date.... 5 hours+ with over 500 shots.... That even bests the G5... I'm not saying the A80 is better...but the battery life is
(Normally, however, the G-series Lithium pack would kill any AA camera, but for some reason their A-series doesn't seem to eat up NiMH batts....)

 

[rcurley55]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: rcurley55
So who wants to reply on the S400?!?!

I'm looking at all of these cameras to use my Dell deal this week. I want the smallest point and click that will give me good results - I'm no photographer, and don't really want to learn how.

So what do I buy (sorry to hijack!)

I would go for the S400.

How much can you get the S400 for from Dell (after taxes, shipping and eBates discount)?

Well, it's 20% off the $500 retail, so around $400

I can get the S50 for the same price and the S45 for 368.

The A70 is going to be around $240

I have 512 MB total of CF that I use sparingly with my Dell Axim, so that's the benefit of the Canons. The bonus to the s400 is that it comes with rechargables, something I don't own otherwise...only bummer is that it's a propriatary batt, so I will have to buy a second...

The other side of the coin is that I can get Minolta DiMage Xt and buy a 256SD card for about $350 and save the CF cards for the dell.

I have a Canon Elph APS film camera, so I love that form factor and it's size, it's perfect for me....that's why I hesitate to go with the A70 or the S series....I'm going to go check them all out tomorrow. I really want something that will fit in my pocket.

Thanks for the help!